Lost Me Gained Regret



"Don't worry about it. And hey, stop overthinking things, will you?"

"You know me, I've always been pretty laid back."

Jane didn't say it, but if Christine was really that laid back, she wouldn't have ended up on the rooftop that time.

"Text me when you get home, alright?"

A week later, Caldwell was discharged from the hospital and back home.

Christine received a text from Dailey saying he was coming over.

They had been texting sporadically over the days, mostly updates through Jane.

Knowing Caldwell was okay made her happy, and on a whim, she decided to hit the grocery store to pick up some ingredients, planning to cook something up.

She had failed before, but you know what they say-third time's a charm.

This time, she was determined to whip up something edible.

But she overestimated herself again.

As Dailey reached her door, he was greeted by the shrill sound of a smoke alarm.

Thinking it might be a gas leak, he didn't bother knocking and used the door code Christine had given him.

Upon entering, he was met with billowing smoke, making it hard for him to see.

"Christine!"

He rushed to the kitchen, bumping into Christine as she came out.

Her usually dolled-up face was a picture of panic and unease.

Dailey was about to grab the fire extinguisher, but Christine stopped him, "The fire's already out."

She at least knew that much about self-rescue.

Dailey let out a sigh of relief, then headed to the kitchen to crank up the exhaust fan before dragging her to the bathroom to wash her face. "What were you even trying to do?"

After cleaning up, Christine didn't hesitate to answer, "I was trying to cook."

Dailey's lips twitched, "I thought you were trying to blow up the kitchen."

Christine chuckled awkwardly, coughing a bit, "Just a minor mishap."

A minor mishap?

If that was minor, what would a major one look like? Blowing up the whole building?

Dailey, both annoyed and helpless, suggested, "Let's just go out to eat."

"Okay."

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Christine agreed, touching her nose, "It's just a shame about all the groceries I bought. I still have plenty left. I cook for you once I get the hang of it."

After a long look between them, Dailey rolled up his sleeves and headed for the kitchen.

Christine hesitated, "You're going to cook?"Content © provided by NôvelDrama.Org.

"Do you even know how to cook?"

He was Mr. Clarkson, after all.

Dailey, surveying the kitchen's chaos and the charred lump on the counter, asked, "What's this?"

Christine blinked, admitting, "Barbecued ribs."

"

Dailey refrained from commenting and gestured for her to hand over the apron.

Christine untied it and handed it to him, but he held up his hands.

"Help me tie it."

As Christine pressed the apron against his lean waist and reached around to tie it, he pulled her into a tight embrace.

Her hands wandered his back, "Missed me?"

Dailey felt the rush of emotion.

Swallowing hard, his face buried in her neck as he took a deep breath.

Then he let her go.

It had been days since they'd seen each other, and jumping straight into action made him seem as eager as a lovesick teenager. He should at least fill her belly first.

"Wait outside."

Christine was still somewhat incredulous, "You really know how to cook?"

"You'll see."

Skeptical, Christine stepped out. She

checked her phone, mulling over how simple the cooking tutorials made everything seem, yet her attempts turned out disastrously.

Dailey first cleaned up the mess Christine had made.

He looked over the groceries she had bought and pulled up some video recipes on his phone.

Then, a crucial realization hit him.

There was no rice cooker in the kitchen.

This clearly showed Christine didn't

cook regularly; today must have

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been a whim, thinking a frying pan and a casserole dish were sufficient.

BUMS

After a moment of contemplation, Dailey texted Primo to bring some food over.